Who doesn’t love a good Ball Cap? They’re eternally stylish, forever functional, and a staff favorite accessory here at Heddels HQ, for sure. Essential when the sun is hitting extra hard, and even when it’s not, a ball cap is never a bad thing to carry on your head. Bad hair day? Ball Cap. Bad hair in general? Ball Cap. At the ball game? Ball Cap.
What kind of ball cap does the Heddels crew prefer? Are they of the Major League variety, or something more obscure? Is there an overwhelming preference in material choice? Do we make our choice of hat for its simple function, or are there deeper, more personal choices made? The answers to these questions might surprise you.
Why trust us? Well, we’ve all been in the game long enough to have field-tested a range of quality clothing, and the Heddels operation puts us onto some of the best clothing in the world week in, week out. Whilst our opinions and experiences shouldn’t be taken as definitive, this series will provide you insight into what has worked for us and why.
James – American Needle / Vintage
Being someone who wears a cap pretty much every day, I found it hard to shortlist for this edition of Staff Select. I own over 20 caps with a bunch of different aesthetics and functionalities in there, but when all is said and done I always find myself reaching for, and favoring, any ball caps with a vintage aesthetic. Two caps that achieve this are my American Needle Detroit Wolverines cap, and my vintage Yankees cap.
First up is my American Needle Archive Detroit Wolverines cap. I picked this up from TJ Maxx (We call it TK Maxx here in the UK) for £10GBP. Being British means you can wear the ball caps of pretty much any American sports team without having any affinity, which is great considering the world of American sports is full of iconic logos and gorgeous fonts. Detroit Wolverines were a 19th-century Baseball team that only played for 7 years between 1881 and 1888. As part of its ‘Archive’ collection, American Needle made this Detroit Wolverines cap which features a charmingly gothic ‘D’ logo on the front. I just love the vintage aesthetic of this cap. The crown is made from a natural-colored washed twill that is soft and malleable, so it doesn’t sit too high, and the contrasting red of the ‘D’ and navy on the bill complete that classic red, white, and blue colorway that will always be iconic. This ball cap goes with pretty much everything I wear, especially a nice chambray or loopwheeled sweatshirt.
Detroit Wolverines in 1888 via Wikipedia.
My second pick is a vintage Yankees cap I picked up from eBay. I have no idea how old it is, how authentic it is, or whatever, I just know I really like the look and shape of it. I clearly have a thing for two-tone caps and gothic lettering. This one is grey and navy, with a colored Yankees patch on the back. Its age means it’s likely to have been laundered, so, like the American Needle jawn, it has that soft crown that has a more relaxed fit than, say, a fitted cap from a brand like ’47 or New Era.
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Neither of these caps are particularly well made, but I know I’ll wear ’em to death and repair them if possible. To be honest, I would love to have something like a Poten or The Factory Made cap to flaunt, but I just haven’t found the right one yet. And ‘having the right one’ is the first step in owning things you want to use forever.
My cotton twill Detroit Wolverines cap is long sold out, but there is a poly-wool rendition available at American Needle for $39.
Daniel – New Era 59/50 Fitted Cap
These days, I don’t find myself reaching for a ball cap as much as I used to, even if there are a ton of amazing options out there. When I do go for a cap, it’s because I need to protect my eyes from the sun, otherwise I’m going full Major League Baseball. My New Era 59Fifty Fitted San Francisco Giants ball cap is a sentimental accessory if I ever had one, and I imagine a lot of baseball fans feel that way, everyone has their own personal connection to the game.
My connection to the SF Giants lies in a feeling of community. When I moved out to the SF Bay Area 5 years ago, I found identity in the city, and in the sports as a result. I make a point to go to at least a few games per season, always donning my cap, and it just feels right – and maybe that’s because it’s literally a fitted cap. It’s hard for me to find a hat that fits my big head comfortably, but over the years I’ve worn New Era fitted caps, I’ve never had a problem going with my fitted size. Another sentimental aspect of the hat is that my older brother purchased the hat for me when we went to a game together, and for that reason alone, it’s my favorite hat.
New Era caps last forever. I’ve worn NE fitted caps since I was a young person, and I’ve never had an issue with durability or it holding up over years spent wearing, washing, and sweating through them. They’re machine washable, so unless they get incredibly stained, you can wear them longer than most things used as often as a ball cap.
You can always grab 59Fifty caps from the New Era webstore, prices at $41.99.
Zach – Theater Made WWII USMC Mechanics Cap
There’s little room left in the world for boring ball caps. Advertisers and athletic teams have left their mark on headwear, but what about the simple effectiveness of patterns? Cotton prints tell a story. A cap with a “Frogskin” camouflage print is the epitome of vintage cool and belongs on the head of every outdoorsman. More than hunting, SM Wholesale’s “theater-made” cap starts with a story of ingenuity.
Frogskin camouflage was fashioned into many “non-regulation,” field-made items during World War II. Like the modern ball cap, these hats were purely functional to keep the South Pacific sun out of their eyes. As an expression of ruggedness, few words conjure “workwear” imagery like “mechanic.” The construction is tough, and its material is well suited to Summer weather. Rgw reversible print hidden inside of the crown adds a detail that separates it from traditional baseball caps. I’ve had my herringbone twill cap for almost two years and it has retained its color like a champ. While not adjustable, I enjoy the perfect fit after a good wash and an easy stretching of the sweatband.
Available from SM Wholesale USA for $79.
David – The Quint Hat 2
In the fall of 2015, I wanted a brown waxed cotton cap for a Halloween costume. I couldn’t find any that fit the bill, so now we have several hundred.
The Quint cap was a labor of agony and ecstasy and I’m happy to share it with more than just my head. Aside from looking like the one onscreen, it’s also lightweight, water-resistant, and the flexible brim makes it easy to stuff into a pocket.
I had the same model from the first sample in 2015 until we revamped the fit for the Quint 2 in 2021. Now I’m wearing the sample for that (which is also the one in the store photo). Patina isn’t something you usually see on hats unless it’s a really gross one, but the waxed canvas in this hat seems to fluctuate as it starts dark, then lightens, then goes dark again.
Maybe they’ll be a third, but that’s when the movie franchise really took a dive so I’m happy with this one for now.
Available for $82 at Heddels Shop.
Brad – Ball Cap
When I read that this week’s Staff Picks covered ball caps my mind started churning. As a red-blooded American, I’ve owned countless baseball hats in my life. Right now, my closet retains about a dozen with but one head to wear them on. It would make sense to work out some kind of system where I rotate each hat into equal service. Of course, that is not at all what happens. Like pretty much everyone else, I’m sure, I’ve inadvertently singled out one to receive a large majority of my head coverage action. A couple of others get some time while most gather dust, but there is a very clear favorite.
So I was about to type up my coverage of ol’ reliable but then my dearly beloved New York Knicks took a 3 to 1 lead in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, virtually ensuring their first playoff series victory in a decade. In recognition of this agonizingly belated accomplishment, I will be wearing only one hat for at least the next few weeks. My favorite Knicks hat is from the Hardwood Classics line by New Era. The outer shell is made from 100% wool and it was manufactured in China.
Along with being a premium line for New Era, the Hardwood Classics hats feature retro logos and colors. The front of my hat is emblazoned with the Knicks logo used from the 1960s through the 1980s. Simple block capital letters emanating from a basketball graphic. I’ve always had an affinity for the straightforward graphic design of retro athletic logos. New Era doesn’t make the Hardwood Classics line anymore but you can get the same look and construction from the 59Fifty line.
Jack – Polo Ralph Lauren Cap
With summer right around the corner I just went through the process of washing all my favorite caps. And while I keep a number of them for hiking and exercise, my no-doubt go-to, daily driver is my 90s Route 67 Ralph Lauren ‘dad cap’.
I picked this cap up around four years ago online when I was going down the rabbit hole of Made in the USA Ralph caps. The design of this one struck me immediately and opened the door to the wide variety of killer caps Ralph produces. I have some of the coveted RRL fishing ones on my list but this one is from the Polo main line and I got it for a very reasonable price. Also, I’ve yet to see the design again, leading to wonder what else is out there. Some of the 80s ones even sport chain-stitched brims!
Regardless, I hope to get an additional 10+ years of wear out of this thing. I don’t exercise or sweat excessively into it but I do wear it 3-4 times a week and wash it every few months and it looks as good as the day I bought it secondhand, so I think it will easily make that 10-year mark, and beyond.
Particularly, it’s the emblem on the front that I adore and what drew me to it in the first place. Ralph’s formal brand was founded in 1967 so it’s a clear nod to that but to play off the timelessly iconic Route 66 logo is such a tasteful and undeniable design decision, especially considering Ralph’s penchant for all things quintessentially American.
Beyond the logo, this cap is comfortable. I prefer to wear it loose but even cinched tight on the windy days it feels cozy. And wherever it was produced, they did a marvelous job. I find the cap so handsome and well-constructed it’s become a sort of gold standard I use to measure all other caps I try on. The brass hardware is another small detail I love on them because they’re starting to get a wonderful patina.
If only I could find a trucker that fits me as well, but that’s another story.
Nav – Ebbets Field Flannels Tokyo Giants Soft Bill Cap
A cap to me is as essential to my fit as wearing underwear is to getting dressed. I basically can’t remember the last time I didn’t have my head covered whilst out and about. With that said, a cap that I find myself drawn to the most out of the wide array of styles/shapes in my collection is my Ebbets Field Tokyo Giants ball cap.
I’ve had this beauty for around 5 years now and really can’t fault a single thing about it, the wool construction gives it an amazing texture that has aged the more I wear it and given it great character, and the overall craftsmanship throughout has meant that it still feels as sturdy as the day I bought it. The fact that it’s black means I can throw it on with literally any fit but my three favorite features have to be; the adjustable leather strap — which not only ensures a great fit but is also mad comfy — the soft brim which moves and settles perfectly to my adjustments, and finally the green satin under brim which just really sets it off. I honestly think I would mourn the loss of this cap if that day ever were to come.
Ben – Vintage Fishing Hat
I rarely wear hats but when I do, I reach for my long bill 5-panel fishing hat. Found in a Pennsylvania factory by a friend of mine, this nylon hat features 3 eyelets on each side panel and a soft flexible brim that shades your face really well. This thing is super light making it the perfect option for warmer months when you want some shade but need something light. With a mesh headband and clasp adjustable back closure, it’s the perfect hat for me, in the perfect vintage color combo I might add: a weirdo green and purple.
Made in the 90s, rumor has it it’s a blank that Patagonia used at the time, but I’m not too sure about that.
Will – Norse Projects Twill Sports Cap
Some people look really stupid in baseball caps. Admittedly, I am one of those people. Yet, here I am, talking about my cap of choice, Norse Projects’ Twill Sports cap.
In my mind, this is the entry-level of nice caps. There was a time — perhaps early 2010s — when all you’d see was Norse Projects’ signature ‘N’ on caps here in the UK. It became the must-have for those of us that dared to show an interest in clothes and fashion. While the cap game has moved on — pretty dramatically may I add — with the emergence of Japanese heavy hitters like Poten, I’ve remained static. And I’m totally cool with that.
Norse Projects’ Twill Sports cap is a six-panel cap cut from a light cotton twill. It features Norse Projects’ signature embroidered ‘N’ in contrast stitching on the front and some subtle detailing on the back. The adjuster is basic; just how I like it. You won’t find any Gorpcore-esque toggles or roughout leather adjustable straps here. It comes in a range of both seasonal and classic colors, and it’s made in the U.S.A.
There’s nothing special or particularly distinctive about this cap. But there doesn’t have to be. To me, this cap is ye ol’ faithful. It’s a beater cap that’s lasted me more than a decade, and it’s still very much in its prime. When I purchased it way back when, I think I paid retail, which was approximately $40-60. Unfortunately, due to a decade’s worth of inflation and brand tax, you’re now looking at $110. Would I buy it at today’s price? Probably not. That said, I’ve definitely got my money’s worth, especially if you look at it from a cost-per-wear perspective.
